Donate school supplies to Operation Backpack

View full sizeBeth Coffey, Televox employee and Sunshine Committee member, and her son, Hayden, organize school supplies for the 2011 Operation Backpack. (Courtesy of Lynne McCraney)

MOBILE, Alabama — For the third year, Volunteers of America Southeast is partnering with local businesses, TeleVox Software and the Mobile and Baldwin County Walgreens stores to coordinate Operation Backpack.

The annual project will put more than 1,000 new backpacks with grade-appropriate school supplies in the hands of qualified students before school starts. The supplies will be distributed through the Mobile County Department of Human Resources and area churches, who will identify children in need.

Janet Hyde, Events Coordinator at VOASE, said that the agency participates in this project because “A new, filled backpack is a powerful incentive for a child.” It boosts students’ confidence, gets them excited about school and “helps them look and feel more like their classmates on that all-important first day,” she said.

Lynne McCraney, co-chair of the Sunshine Committee at TeleVox, said that the software company’s team is participating for the third year also. The project, she said,” is not only fun, it allows everyone an opportunity to help children needing supplies to aid in their education.”

TeleVox is committed to supplying the items required to fill 300+ (of the 1000) backpacks, which will be earmarked for the DHR.

Operation Backpack allows individuals, church groups, civic organizations and local businesses to join together to provide items needed. Those who would like to make a donation may drop off school supplies at the Volunteers of America office at 600 Azalea Road or at any Mobile or Baldwin County Walgreens stores. A list of suggested supplies is available at www.voase.org or at Walgreens.

Monetary, tax-deductible donations for school supplies may be mailed to the above address. The drive ends Aug. 3. For additional details, or to help in another way, contact Hyde at 251-338-1294.

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This story was written by Jo Anne McKnight, Press-Register Correspondent.